WASHINGTON — U.S. Border Patrol missions continued along the U.S.-Mexico frontier on Monday as federal authorities maintained enforcement operations, surveillance activities and coordination with military and local law enforcement agencies across key sections of the southern border, officials said.
The ongoing missions come as the administration has continued to prioritize border security efforts that began after President Donald Trump returned to office. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security have reported sustained enforcement operations aimed at preventing unlawful crossings, disrupting smuggling networks and monitoring activity along the nearly 2,000-mile border.
Federal officials said Border Patrol agents remain deployed across major sectors, supported by surveillance technology, aircraft and other security assets. In recent months, CBP has also continued work on infrastructure and security projects in several border regions, including areas of Texas.
“The days of catch and release are over,” Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in a statement released by the Department of Homeland Security last week, describing the administration’s border enforcement strategy. The department said border authorities had recorded historically low levels of unlawful crossings during recent months.
Congress earlier this month approved additional funding legislation for border security agencies, including Border Patrol and other CBP operations, according to statements from the White House and congressional leaders. Administration officials said the funding would support personnel, equipment and enforcement activities through the coming years.
The expanded security posture has drawn both support and criticism. Republican lawmakers have argued that continued missions are necessary to deter illegal migration, drug trafficking and human smuggling. Some environmental groups and local advocates, however, have raised concerns about the impact of border infrastructure projects in environmentally sensitive areas, including portions of the Big Bend region of Texas.
Local law enforcement agencies in several border communities also continue to participate in federally funded security programs that support patrols and coordination with Border Patrol while maintaining responsibility for local public safety matters, officials said.
As of Monday, federal authorities reported no change in the operational status of Border Patrol missions along the southern border. Officials said enforcement, surveillance and interdiction activities would continue as part of broader efforts to secure the frontier and support immigration law enforcement operations.
